Cattle Bell
BELLS
Metal bells are among the oldest of extant musical instruments and can be found in nearly every culture that has highly developed metallurgical proficiency. Bells were, and still are, used for religious and ritual observance, signaling, music, or adornment of both humans and animals. Bells may be imbued with protective powers that ward off evil or perpetuate a prayer. Made in a variety of forms, some are sounded internally by a clapper, others contain a pellet that rolls freely inside the body (crotal bell), and some are struck externally by a beater.
Metal bells are among the oldest of extant musical instruments and can be found in nearly every culture that has highly developed metallurgical proficiency. Bells were, and still are, used for religious and ritual observance, signaling, music, or adornment of both humans and animals. Bells may be imbued with protective powers that ward off evil or perpetuate a prayer. Made in a variety of forms, some are sounded internally by a clapper, others contain a pellet that rolls freely inside the body (crotal bell), and some are struck externally by a beater.
Artwork Details
- Title: Cattle Bell
- Date: 18th century
- Geography: Bulgaria or Switzerland
- Culture: Swiss
- Medium: Metal
- Dimensions: H. 20.7 cm (8-1/4 in.); Diam.: +/- 13 x 7.8 cm (+/- 5-1/8 x 3-1/8 in.); Weight: 1313 gr.
- Classification: Idiophone-Struck-bell-without clapper
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 08.135.1
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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Johann Wilhelm Haas
late 17th century
Andreas Naeplaesnigg
1790
Jacob Schmidt
ca. 1710–20
German
1760–90
Hendrik Richters
before 1727
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